Page 6 of 11: Catering Winterthur

We depart on a train to Winterthur. There are many local and intercity trains between Zurich and Winterthur. It is a direct train with one stop at the Zurich Airport. When we depart Switzerland, we will be reversing this train ride. On the train, Michael gives us a few phrases in Swiss German: GrŁezi- Hello, Merci vilmal - Thanks a lot, Bitte- Please, Uf widerluege - Good bye. My wife practices her greetings on a woman (reacting with much amusement) who is sitting opposite us on the train. We arrive at Winterthur after about 30 minutes and we change to the local bus system to arrive at Michaelís house where Michaelís wife Jeab greets us. We finally get to meet Miya born on 24 March and now 36 days old. She is a charming baby girl.

Michaelís house sits at the bottom of the Golden Berg or a large hill facing west, which overlooks the city of Winterthur. Behind the house is a vineyard. My wife (ever the contadina) and I spend the first day helping our hosts clear some brush and doing some gardening in their backyard. The weather is wonderful, unlike what we experienced in Italy.

Shortly afterwards we help Jeab shopping. Jeab is establishing a catering business in Winterthur and has a large catering assignment for Sunday dinner. My wife is fascinated by a chance to visit another European supermarket. She buys several cookies including what will turn out to be her favorite - Swiss meringue. The house is a short walk to the old city center. I notice that here as in the Netherlands bicycles are a prime source of transportation.

Jeab is meal planning a Thai banquet of laap, rice, vegetables and chicken and green curry and samosa. The latter is not Thai food but is taking the place of spring rolls since it holds up much better after cooking. The meal is a part of a party held at the Kraftfeld club in the working district of Winterhur. The club is a modern/alternative music venue and bar where Michaelís brother is one of the managers. There will be over forty people expected and Jeab is understandably nervous about the event. But all goes well and this bodes well for her future business.